A run of one win in 14 games has ended Leeds United’s hopes of reaching the play-offs with the team now languishing down in the bottom half of the Championship.

Whilst such form is unacceptable, the reality is that the Whites just don’t have the quality to compete with the better sides in the league, as recent comprehensive 3-0 defeats to Middlesbrough and Wolves proved.

Fortunately, Leeds are in no danger of going down, so even with eight games to go, Paul Heckingbottom’s focus is already on next season.

Recent results will have convinced him that not many of the current crop are up to it and that new signings are essential.

Here we look at five realistic arrivals this summer that could transform the Yorkshire club into promotion contenders...

The Liverpool goalkeeper proved just how good he is in the Championship by playing a key role in Huddersfield’s promotion last season.

Whilst Jürgen Klopp is a big fan, the 24-year old needs to be playing regularly now and it’s not going to happen at Anfield.

Loris Karius is ahead of him and even if Simon Mignolet leaves, a new keeper will come in, with Brazilian number one Alisson heavily linked.

Therefore, if Ward wants to leave he should be allowed to and Leeds need to make him a key target to solve what has been a real problem position.

Wolves have one foot in the Premier League and should confirm promotion in the coming weeks.

If they do, several big-name arrivals could rock up at Molineux but that will also lead to departures, with local lad Batth sure to leave.

He has done okay on the whole this season but was very poor against Aston Villa recently and Wolves have a lot of depth already at centre-back.

Batth is strong, powerful and reads the game well. He may not be good enough for a top-flight side but he would enhance Leeds’ team.

The midfielder is on loan at Nottingham Forest from Newcastle and has impressed a lot.

Whilst the Reds are surely going to be eager to tie Colback down permanently, he will be free to speak to anyone in the summer.

The 28-year old is experienced and has a very good all-round game that could see him form an excellent partnership with Adam Forshaw for Leeds.

A central midfielder is needed and the available Colback would be a big signing.

A key ingredient for promotion is a goalscorer but Leeds don’t really have one.

The Whites spent a lot in the summer on forward players from across Europe but few have delivered, so they would be better going for players who know the league. Wells does.

The former Bradford man regularly hit double figures for Huddersfield and would excel with the likes of Samuel Saiz and Ezgjan Alioski feeding him from midfield and should be available having struggled to make an impact with Burnley this season.

Heckingbottom signed the striker for Barnsley on deadline day in January and McBurnie has made an immediate impact with the Tykes.

He has a good all-round game, with excellent movement but most importantly he is a natural goalscorer, as six goals in nine games at Oakwell proves.

Despite that record, the 21-year old will struggle to get a chance if parent club Swansea remain in the top-flight, so could be open to a move.

The fact he agreed to join a Heckingbottom side before surely puts Leeds in with a good chance of landing the talented striker.